Mediated performance: Phantom of the Opera

I watched The Phantom of the Opera for my mediated performance, which is interesting because I have seen it live and read the book. The movie allows for more theatrical effects where it is impossible to have on the stage. For example, the movie illustrates differences in time by beginning in black and white, moving to color to symbolize the memory of the past. The affect of this is that the switch, which happens while they play the overture, is much more dramatic.

Christine and the Phantom.*

The mediated performance also makes things more realistic looking as they can afford more elaborate sets. I was very interested to see how they would do the boat scene on stage, and was impressed, but definitely liked the way it was produced in the movie better. The characters were picked very well (though I like the voice of Michael Crawford best) and play the part well.

The Phantom interrupting the Masquerade.*

I have never read the original script to Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, but the performances differ from the book tremendously. In the book, the phantom is much crueler than he is portrayed on stage, where one almost has pity on him. Also, in the mediated performance Joseph Buquet alludes to the phantom's magical lasso, which is a horrific scene in the book. In the book, the phantom appears to plague Christine more, providing her no escape, even in her home away from the theatre.

The Phantom and Christine in the Phantom's underground lair.*

Overall, I found the mediated performance to be a very good representative of what is typically shown on stage during Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. There are better dramatic affects on screen than on stage, but that does not discredit the stage version, which I highly recommend seeing live if you like Phantom of the Opera. It also differs from the book, creating a more romantic story in which Christine is torn between two lovers, whereas in the book, the phantom is no one anyone would ever want to be associated with.

The Phantom (Gerard Butler), Christine Daae (Emmy Rossum), and Rauol De Chagney (Patrick Wilson).*